Retrofit floodlight systems, brackets and related methods

ABSTRACT

Retrofit floodlight systems, brackets and related methods are provided for retrofitting existing floodlight systems having a floodlight enclosure and a superseded light source to include solid-state lighting functionality. An example retrofit floodlight system includes a floodlight enclosure having a base receptacle and a cover coupled to the base receptacle to define an interior cavity and at least one light generation assembly including an array of solid-state lighting elements operable to collectively emit a flood of light from the floodlight enclosure which is mounted within the floodlight enclosure by a retrofit bracket.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to floodlight systems, and moreparticularly to retrofit floodlight systems, brackets and relatedmethods that provide solid-state lighting functionality in connectionwith preexisting floodlight enclosures of superseded light sources, suchas, for example, metal halide and high pressure sodium light sources.

Description of the Related Art

Floodlight systems are known which utilize various light sources to emita flood of light from an enclosure to provide suitable lighting forvarious activities, including, for example, fishing or crabbingactivities on the deck of a marine vessel. Example floodlight systemsinclude metal halide (MH) and high pressure sodium (HPS) floodlightsystems, such as, for example, the IC Series HPS and MH floodlightsavailable from Phoenix Products Company, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wis., andthe F Series HPS and MH floodlights available from Philips Wide-Lite ofSan Marcos, Tex. Other similar floodlights include those available fromBritmar Marine Inc. of British Columbia, Canada; Aqua Signal GmbH ofBremen, Germany; and Cooper Crouse-Hinds Pauluhn of Houston, Tex. Theseconventional floodlight systems, however, can suffer from a variety ofdeficiencies, including non-satisfactory durability, longevity,operational efficiency and/or illumination characteristics. Floodlightsystems including solid-state lighting elements, such as light emittingdiodes (LEDs), can provide lighting systems with enhanced durability,longevity, operational efficiency and/or illumination characteristics.Existing LED floodlight systems, however, can require a large capitalinvestment to replace existing systems, including the floodlightenclosures thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The retrofit floodlight systems, brackets and related methods describedherein provide for the efficient retrofitting of existing floodlightsystems having a floodlight enclosure and a superseded light source.Accordingly, preexisting floodlight enclosures can be adapted to provideenhanced solid-state lighting functionality without requiringreplacement or disposal of such floodlight enclosures. Advantageously,in many instances, preexisting floodlight systems utilizing metalhalide, high pressure sodium and other superseded light sources can beconverted to include solid-state light sources with minimal effort.

A retrofit floodlight system may be summarized as including a floodlightenclosure for protecting a light source from an external environment andat least one light generation assembly including an array of solid-statelighting elements operable to collectively emit a flood of light fromthe floodlight enclosure. The floodlight enclosure may include a basereceptacle and a cover coupled to the base receptacle to define aninterior cavity, and the base receptacle may include a superseded lightsource mounting arrangement. The retrofit floodlight system may furtherinclude a retrofit support bracket having a light generation supportplatform and a base structure. The retrofit bracket may be fixedlysecured to the base receptacle of the floodlight enclosure via thesuperseded light source mounting arrangement and the at least one lightgeneration assembly may be supported by the light generation supportplatform of the retrofit bracket within the interior cavity of thefloodlight enclosure opposite the cover.

The retrofit floodlight system may further include a solid-statelighting element driver fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket withinthe interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure. The solid-statelighting element driver may be fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracketin a space defined between the light generation support platform and arear wall of the base receptacle of the floodlight enclosure. The basestructure of the retrofit bracket may include a second mountingarrangement located remote from the light generation support platform,and the solid-state lighting element driver may be fixedly coupled tothe retrofit bracket via the second mounting arrangement.

The base structure and the light generation support platform may beportions of a single-piece of formed sheet material. The base structureof the retrofit bracket may include opposing sidewalls that extend froma periphery of the light generation support platform, and the secondmounting arrangement may be provided on one of the opposing sidewalls.The opposing sidewalls may flare outwardly away from the lightgeneration support platform, and the base structure of the retrofitbracket may include mounting flanges at distal ends of the opposingsidewalls that extend parallel to the light generation support platformand include a mounting arrangement that corresponds to the supersededlight source mounting arrangement of the base receptacle of thefloodlight enclosure. The opposing sidewalls may taper inwardly withincreasing distance away from the light generation support platform. Theretrofit bracket may include opposing mounting flanges that extendlaterally beyond the light generation support platform, and the mountingflanges may include a mounting arrangement that corresponds to thesuperseded light source mounting arrangement of the base receptacle ofthe floodlight enclosure. The mounting flanges may be an extension ofthe light generation support platform. The mounting flanges may beparallel to and offset from the light generation support platform. Thebase structure of the retrofit bracket may include a floor that isoffset and parallel to the light generation support platform, and thesecond mounting arrangement may be provided on the floor. The basestructure of the retrofit bracket may include opposing sidewalls thatextend between the floor and the light generation support platform.

The base structure of the retrofit bracket may include an extensionhaving a mounting face that is arranged perpendicular to the lightgeneration support platform and secured to a sidewall of the basereceptacle of the floodlight enclosure. The mounting face may include atleast one supplemental mounting arrangement, and the extension may besecured to the sidewall of the base receptacle of the floodlightenclosure by the at least one supplemental mounting arrangement. Thefloor may be supported in a position that is offset from a rear wall ofthe base receptacle of the floodlight enclosure.

The light generation support platform may include a light generationassembly mounting arrangement and a supplemental light generationassembly mounting arrangement to accommodate a plurality of lightgeneration assemblies. The light generation assembly mountingarrangement and the supplemental light generation mounting arrangementmay overlap to alternatively support light generation assemblies havingdifferent sizes. The retrofit floodlight system may further include asupplemental light generation assembly that is supported by the lightgeneration support platform of the retrofit bracket adjacent the otherlight generation assembly.

A retrofit bracket for converting a floodlight system having asuperseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-statelighting system may be summarized as including: a light generationsupport platform to accommodate and support at least one solid-statelight assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure,the light generation support platform including a first mountingarrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lighting assembly tothe retrofit bracket; opposing mounting flanges located at lateral endsof the light generation support platform, the mounting flanges includinga second mounting arrangement for fixing the retrofit bracket to thefloodlight enclosure; and opposing sidewalls extending away from thelight generation support platform, at least one of the opposingsidewalls including a third mounting arrangement for fixing asolid-state lighting element driver to the retrofit bracket.

Another retrofit bracket for converting a floodlight system having asuperseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-statelighting system may be summarized as including: a light generationsupport platform to accommodate and support at least one solid-statelight assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure,the light generation support platform including a first mountingarrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lighting assembly tothe retrofit bracket; opposing sidewalls extending away from the lightgeneration support platform; and a floor offset from the lightgeneration support platform by the opposing sidewalls, the floorincluding a second mounting arrangement for fixing the retrofit bracketto the floodlight enclosure and a third mounting arrangement for fixinga solid-state lighting element driver to the retrofit bracket in a spacebetween the floor and the light generation support platform. Theretrofit bracket may further include an extension having a mounting facethat is arranged perpendicular to the light generation support platformand that includes at least one supplemental mounting arrangement tosecure the extension to a sidewall of an alternate floodlight system.

Another retrofit bracket for converting a floodlight system having asuperseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-statelighting system may be summarized as including a light generationsupport platform to accommodate and support at least one solid-statelight assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure,the light generation support platform including a first mountingarrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lighting assembly tothe retrofit bracket; opposing sidewalls extending away from the lightgeneration support platform; a floor offset from the light generationsupport platform by the opposing sidewalls, the floor including a secondmounting for fixing a solid-state lighting element driver to theretrofit bracket in a space between the floor and the light generationsupport platform; and an extension having a mounting face that isarranged perpendicular to the light generation support platform and thatincludes a third mounting arrangement to secure the extension to asidewall of the floodlight enclosure.

Yet another retrofit bracket for converting a floodlight system having asuperseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-statelighting system may be summarized as including a light generationsupport platform to accommodate and support at least one solid-statelight assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure,the light generation support platform including a first mountingarrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lighting assembly tothe retrofit bracket; opposing sidewalls flaring outwardly withincreasing distance away from the light generation support platform, atleast one of the opposing sidewalls including a second mountingarrangement for fixing a solid-state lighting element driver to theretrofit bracket; and opposing mounting flanges located at distal endsof the opposing sidewalls that extend parallel to the light generationsupport platform and include a third mounting arrangement for fixing theretrofit bracket to the floodlight enclosure.

A method of retrofitting a floodlight system having a superseded lightsource and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-state lighting system maybe summarized as including removing the superseded light source from aninterior of the floodlight enclosure; and installing at least onesolid-state light generation assembly and a corresponding solid-statelighting element driver within the interior of the floodlight enclosureusing a retrofit bracket and a preexisting mounting arrangement of thefloodlight enclosure, the retrofit bracket supporting the at least onelight generation assembly in a position to emit a flood of light fromthe retrofitted floodlight system and supporting the solid-statelighting element driver outside a path of the flood of light. The methodmay further include attaching the at least one light generation assemblyand corresponding solid-state lighting element driver to a power sourcethrough a preexisting conduit of the floodlight enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a conventional metal halide floodlightsystem including a floodlight enclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a retrofit floodlight system, accordingto one embodiment, including a solid-state light generation assemblyenclosed within the floodlight enclosure of the floodlight system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the retrofit floodlight systemof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view a retrofit bracket of the floodlight systemof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a retrofit bracket for converting afloodlight system having a superseded light source and a floodlightenclosure to a solid-state lighting system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a retrofit bracket for converting afloodlight system having a superseded light source and a floodlightenclosure to a solid-state lighting system, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a retrofit bracket for converting afloodlight system having a superseded light source and a floodlightenclosure to a solid-state lighting system, according to yet anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures, features andtechniques associated with lighting systems and related methods may notbe shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringdescriptions of the embodiments. For instance, well-known techniques forwiring and supplying power to the floodlight systems described hereinare not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringdescriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics of the variousembodiments may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

The retrofit floodlight systems, brackets and related methods describedherein provide for the efficient retrofitting of existing floodlightsystems having a superseded light source and a floodlight enclosure.Accordingly, preexisting floodlight enclosures can be adapted to provideenhanced solid-state lighting functionality without requiringreplacement or disposal of such floodlight enclosures. Advantageously,in many instances, preexisting floodlight systems utilizing metal halideand other superseded light sources can be converted to includesolid-state light sources with minimal effort.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional metal halide floodlight system10 including a floodlight enclosure 20, which includes a base receptacle22 and a cover 24 coupled to the base receptacle 22 to define aninterior cavity 26. A metal halide light source 28 is provided withinthe interior cavity 26 to selectively emit a flood of light from theenclosure 20. The enclosure 20 protects the light source 28 from theexternal environment, which may in some instances, be a harshenvironment. A junction box 30 is provided in communication with theinterior cavity 26 to enable the supply of electrical power to the metalhalide light source 28 via electrical cable 32.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a retrofit floodlight system 38,according to one embodiment, in which a light generation assembly 50including a base 52 and an array of solid-state lighting elements 54operable to collectively emit a flood of light is installed within aninternal cavity 26 of a preexisting floodlight enclosure 20 via aretrofit bracket 100. Details of the retrofit bracket 100 are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preexisting floodlight enclosure 20includes the base receptacle 22 and the cover 24, which is coupled tothe base receptacle 22 to define interior cavity 26. A metal halidelight source or other superseded light source and possibly surroundingstructures, such as, for example, a reflector, are removed from theinternal cavity 26 and replaced with the light generation assembly 50.The light generation assembly 50 is supported within the internal cavity26 by the retrofit bracket 100 opposite the cover 24 of the floodlightenclosure 20 to selectively emit a flood of light therefrom. The lightgeneration assembly 50 may include, for example, the HTS Series 8, 9 and12 LED lighting products available from Lighting Bare Development, Inc.of Countryside, Ill. The junction box 30 is in communication with theinterior cavity 26 to enable the supply of electrical power to the lightgeneration assembly 50 via electrical cable 32.

A solid-state lighting element driver 70 is preferably fixedly coupledto the retrofit bracket 100 within the interior cavity 26 of thefloodlight enclosure 20 to regulate or manage the supply of power to thelight generation assembly 50. Example drivers include the HLG-150Hseries driver available from Mean Well USA of Fremont, Calif. and theANP90 series driver available from Amperor, Inc. of Houston, Tex. Thesolid-state lighting element driver 70 may receive power via electricalcable 32. The cable 32 may, for example, be coupled to an input cable 72of the solid-state lighting element driver 70 within junction box 30. Anoutput cable 74 of the driver 70 may be electrically coupled to thesolid-state light generation assembly 50 to supply power thereto duringoperation. In some instances, the solid-state lighting element driver 70may be fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket 100 in a space definedbetween the light generation assembly 50 and a rear wall 23 of the basereceptacle 22 of the floodlight enclosure 20. In other instances, thesolid-state lighting element driver 70 may be fixedly coupled to theretrofit bracket 100 in a space offset to the side of a projectedprofile of the light generation assembly 50.

With reference to FIG. 3, the solid-state lighting element driver 70 mayinclude a driver mounting arrangement 76 (e.g., a series of mountingapertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) forfixedly coupling the solid-state lighting element driver 70 to theretrofit bracket 100. As an example, the solid-state lighting elementdriver 70 shown in FIG. 3 includes a series of apertures arranged in arectangular pattern and which are each sized to receive a correspondingthreaded fastener 141 for securing the solid-state lighting elementdriver 70 to the retrofit bracket 100.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the retrofit bracket 100 includes alight generation support platform 102 and a base structure 104. Thelight generation support platform 102 may be a planar portion of theretrofit bracket 100 that provides a platform or stage upon which tomount the light generation assembly 50, as represented by the phantomline labeled 116 in FIG. 4. According to the example embodiment of theretrofit bracket 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light generationsupport platform 102 comprises a pair of flanges 112 arranged atopposing lateral ends of the retrofit bracket 100. A space or gap 114 isprovided between the flanges 112 that results in a substantial portionof the underside of the light generation assembly 50 being exposed,which may assist in air circulation and cooling of the light generationassembly 50 during operation. The flanges 112 of the support platform102 include a light generation assembly mounting arrangement 110 (e.g.,a series of mounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embeddednuts, etc.) for fixedly coupling the light generation assembly 50 to thesupport platform 102 of the retrofit bracket 100. As an example, theembodiment of the retrofit bracket 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes aseries of apertures arranged in a rectangular pattern and which are eachsized to receive a corresponding threaded fastener 111 to secure thelight generation assembly 50 to the support platform 102.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the base structure 104 of theretrofit bracket 100 may include a driver mounting arrangement 140(e.g., a series of mounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs,embedded nuts, etc.) located remote from the light generation supportplatform 102 for fixedly coupling the solid-state lighting elementdriver 70 to the retrofit bracket 100 as discussed above. As an example,the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4includes a series of threaded sleeves arranged in a rectangular pattern,which are each sized to receive a corresponding threaded fastener 141 tosecure the solid-state lighting element driver 70 to the retrofitbracket 100. As can be appreciated from FIG. 3, the solid-state lightingelement driver 70 may be fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket 100 viathe driver mounting arrangement 140 within a space between the supportplatform 102 and a rear wall 23 of the base receptacle 22 of thefloodlight enclosure 20.

With reference to FIG. 3, the base receptacle 22 of the floodlightenclosure 20 may include a superseded light source mounting arrangement40 that was previously used to mount a superseded light source 28 and/orother surrounding structures (e.g., a reflector). With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the retrofit bracket 100 may be fixedly secured to thebase receptacle 22 of the floodlight enclosure 20 via the supersededlight source mounting arrangement 40 and a corresponding mountingarrangement 122 (e.g., a series of mounting apertures, threaded holes,threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) provided at or in the basestructure 104 of the retrofit bracket 100. As an example, the embodimentof the retrofit bracket 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a series ofslots arranged and sized to receive corresponding threaded studs of themounting arrangement 40, which together with threaded nuts 41 secure theretrofit bracket 100 to the rear wall 23 of the base receptacle 22 ofthe floodlight enclosure 20. When the retrofit bracket 100 is fixedlysecured to the base receptacle 22 in this manner, the light generationassembly 50 may be supported by the light generation support platform102 of the retrofit bracket 100 within the interior cavity 26 of thefloodlight enclosure 20 opposite the cover 24 to emit light therefrom.In some instances, light generated by the solid-state lighting elements54 of the light generation assembly 50 may generally or substantiallyreplicate or resemble light previously generated by the superseded lightsource 28.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the base structure 104 of theretrofit bracket 100 may include a floor 120 and opposing sidewalls 130that extend between the light generation support platform 102 and thefloor 120. The floor 120 may be offset and parallel to the lightgeneration support platform 102. The opposing sidewalls 130 may beperpendicular to the light generation support platform 102 and the floor120, or may be inclined at an angle relative to the light generationsupport platform 102 or the floor 120 that is not perpendicular. Theopposing sidewalls 130 may be of sufficient length to create a pocket orcavity between the light generation support platform 102 and the floor120 to house or receive the solid-state lighting element driver 70. Thebase structure 104, including the floor 120 and the opposing sidewalls130, and the light generation support platform 102 may be portions of asingle-piece of formed sheet material, such as, for example, a sheet ofsteel or aluminum material formed into the structure shown in FIGS. 3and 4 by appropriate bending operations. The various mountingarrangements 110, 122, 140 may be formed integrally into the sheetmaterial (e.g., punched, stamped or cut) or otherwise coupled to thesheet material, as in the case of embedded studs or threaded inserts.Some of the mounting arrangements 122 may include elongated slots and/ormultiple overlapping arrangements to enable mounting of the retrofitbracket 100 to more than a single preexisting floodlight enclosure 20.Accordingly, the retrofit bracket 100 may be used to retrofit a varietyof preexisting floodlight systems 10 from one or more differentmanufacturers to include solid-state lighting functionality.

FIGS. 5 through 7 shown additional example embodiments of retrofitbrackets 200, 300, 400.

With reference to FIG. 5, another example embodiment of a retrofitbracket 200 is shown for supporting a pair of adjacent light generationassemblies (not shown) within an internal cavity of a preexistingfloodlight enclosure to selectively emit a flood of light therefrom. Thelight generation assemblies may be, for example, HTS Series 8, 9 and 12LED lighting products available from Lighting Bare Development, Inc. ofCountryside, Ill.

With reference to FIG. 5, the retrofit bracket 200 includes a lightgeneration support platform 202 and a base structure 204. The lightgeneration support platform 202 may be a planar portion of the retrofitbracket 200 that provides a platform or stage upon which to mount thelight generation assemblies, as represented by the phantom lines labeled216 a, 216 b. According to the example embodiment of the retrofitbracket 200 shown in FIG. 5, the light generation support platform 202comprises adjacent frame structures 212 defining clearance apertures 214a, 214 b that leave a substantial portion of the underside of the lightgeneration assemblies exposed, which may assist in air circulation andcooling of the light generation assemblies during operation. The framestructures 212 of the support platform 202 include a respective lightgeneration assembly mounting arrangement 210 a, 210 b (e.g., a series ofmounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.)for fixedly coupling the light generation assemblies to the supportplatform 202. As an example, the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 200shown in FIG. 5 includes a series or groupings of apertures, eacharranged in a rectangular pattern, and wherein each aperture is sized toreceive a corresponding threaded fastener to secure the light generationassemblies to the support platform 202.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the base structure 204 of theretrofit bracket 200 may include a driver mounting arrangement 240(e.g., a series of mounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs,embedded nuts, etc.) located remote from the light generation supportplatform 202 for fixedly coupling one or more solid-state lightingelement drivers (not shown) to the retrofit bracket 200. As an example,the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 200 shown in FIG. 5 includes twoseparate series of threaded studs arranged in a respective rectangularpattern, which are each sized to receive corresponding threaded nuts(not shown) to secure one or more solid-state lighting element driversto the retrofit bracket 200. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, thesolid-state lighting element driver or drivers may be fixedly coupled tothe retrofit bracket 200 via the driver mounting arrangement 240 withina space to the side of the support platform 202.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the retrofit bracket 200 may befixedly secured to a base receptacle of a preexisting floodlightenclosure (not shown) via a superseded light source mounting arrangementthereof and a corresponding mounting arrangement 222 (e.g., a series ofmounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.)provided in or at the base structure 204 of the retrofit bracket 200.When the retrofit bracket 200 is fixedly secured to the preexistingfloodlight enclosure in this manner, the light generation assemblies maybe supported by the light generation support platform 202 of theretrofit bracket 200 within the interior cavity of the floodlightenclosure opposite a cover thereof to emit light therefrom. In someinstances, light generated by the solid-state elements of the lightgeneration assemblies may generally or substantially replicate orresemble light previously generated by the superseded light source.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the base structure 204 of theretrofit bracket 200 may include opposing sidewalls 230 and mountingflanges 220 at distal ends of the opposing sidewalls 230 that extendparallel to the light generation support platform 202. The opposingsidewalls 230 may flare outwardly away from the light generation supportplatform 202 and the mounting flanges 220 may include the mountingarrangement 222 that corresponds to the superseded light source mountingarrangement of the floodlight enclosure. In some instances, the mountingarrangement 222 may be arranged at a peripheral edge portion of theretrofit bracket 200 to mount to a corresponding periphery of thepreexisting floodlight enclosure.

The opposing sidewalls 230 and the mounting flanges 220 of the retrofitbracket 200 may create a channel within which to receive the lightgeneration assemblies. The opposing sidewalls 230 and the mountingflanges 220 may create opposing pockets or cavities on opposing sides ofthe light generation support platform 202 to house or receive thesolid-state lighting element driver(s). The base structure 204,including the opposing sidewalls 230 and mounting flanges 220, and thelight generation support platform 202 may be portions of a single-pieceof formed sheet material, such as, for example, a sheet of steel oraluminum material formed into the structure shown in FIG. 5 byappropriate bending operations.

The various mounting arrangements 210 a, 210 b, 222, 240 may be formedintegrally into the sheet material (e.g., punched, stamped or cut) orotherwise coupled to the sheet material, as in the case of embeddedstuds or threaded inserts. Some of the mounting arrangements 222 mayinclude elongated slots and/or multiple overlapping arrangements toenable mounting of the retrofit bracket 200 to more than a singlepreexisting floodlight enclosure. Accordingly, the retrofit bracket 200may be used to retrofit a variety of preexisting floodlight systems 10from one or more different manufacturers to include solid-state lightingfunctionality.

With reference to FIG. 6, another example embodiment of a retrofitbracket 300 is shown for supporting a series of adjacent lightgeneration assemblies (not shown) of different sizes within an internalcavity of a preexisting floodlight enclosure to selectively emit a floodof light therefrom. The light generation assemblies may be, for example,HTS Series 8, 9 and 12 LED lighting products available from LightingBare Development, Inc. of Countryside, Ill.

With reference to FIG. 6, the retrofit bracket 300 includes a lightgeneration support platform 302. The light generation support platform302 may be a planar portion of the retrofit bracket 300 that provides aplatform or stage upon which to mount the light generation assemblies,as represented by the phantom lines labeled 316 a-c. According to theexample embodiment of the retrofit bracket 300 shown in FIG. 6, thelight generation support platform 302 comprises adjacent framestructures 312 defining clearance apertures 314 a-c that leave asubstantial portion of the underside of each respective light generationassembly exposed, which may assist in air circulation and cooling of thelight generation assemblies during operation. The frame structures 312of the support platform 302 include respective light generation assemblymounting arrangements 310 a-c (e.g., a series of mounting apertures,threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) for fixedlycoupling the light generation assemblies to the support platform 302 ofthe retrofit bracket 300. As an example, the embodiment of the retrofitbracket 300 shown in FIG. 6 includes a series or groupings of apertures,each arranged in a rectangular pattern, and wherein each aperture issized to receive a corresponding threaded fastener to secure the lightgeneration assemblies to the support platform 302.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the retrofit bracket 300 may includea driver mounting arrangement 340 (e.g., a series of mounting apertures,threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) located remote fromthe light generation support platform 302 for fixedly coupling one ormore solid-state lighting element drivers (not shown) to the retrofitbracket 300. As an example, the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 300shown in FIG. 6 includes two separate series of threaded studs arrangedin a respective rectangular pattern, which are each sized to receive acorresponding threaded nut (not shown) to secure one or more solid-statelighting element drivers to the retrofit bracket 300. As can beappreciated from FIG. 6, the solid-state lighting element driver ordrivers may be fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket 300 via thedriver mounting arrangements 340 within a space below the lightgeneration support platform 302.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the retrofit bracket 300 may befixedly secured to a base receptacle of a preexisting floodlightenclosure (not shown) via a superseded light source mounting arrangementthereof and a corresponding mounting arrangement 322 (e.g., a series ofmounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.)of the retrofit bracket 300. When the retrofit bracket 300 is fixedlysecured to the preexisting floodlight enclosure in this manner, thelight generation assemblies may be supported by the light generationsupport platform 302 of the retrofit bracket 300 within the interiorcavity of the floodlight enclosure opposite a cover thereof to emitlight therefrom. In some instances, light generated by the solid-stateelements of the light generation assemblies may generally orsubstantially replicate or resemble light previously generated by thesuperseded light source.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the retrofit bracket 300 may includeopposing sidewalls 330 that extend from a periphery of the lightgeneration support platform 302. A respective driver mountingarrangement 340 may be provided on each of the opposing sidewalls 330.The opposing sidewalls 330 may taper inwardly with increasing distanceaway from the light generation support platform 302. One or moreadditional mounting elements, such as, for example, a threaded stud 341,may be provided on one or more of the opposing sidewalls 330 forgrounding purposes.

The retrofit bracket 300 may further include opposing mounting flanges320 that extend laterally beyond the light generation support platform302. The mounting flanges 320 may include the mounting arrangement 322that corresponds to the superseded light source mounting arrangement ofthe floodlight enclosure. The mounting flanges 320 may be parallel toand offset from the light generation support platform 302, as shown inthe embodiment of FIG. 6, or may be an extension of the light generationsupport platform 302 with common opposing surfaces. In some instances,the mounting arrangement 322 may be arranged at a peripheral edgeportion of the retrofit bracket 300 to mount to a correspondingperiphery of the preexisting floodlight enclosure.

The opposing sidewalls 330 of the retrofit bracket 300 may define achannel beneath the light generation support platform 302 within whichto receive one or more of the solid-state lighting element drivers. Theopposing sidewalls 330, the mounting flanges 320 and the lightgeneration support platform 302 may be portions of a single-piece offormed sheet material, such as, for example, a sheet of steel oraluminum material formed into the structure shown in FIG. 6 byappropriate bending operations.

The various mounting arrangements 310 a-c, 322, 340 may be formedintegrally into the sheet material (e.g., punched, stamped or cut) orotherwise coupled to the sheet material, as in the case of embeddedstuds or threaded inserts. Some of the mounting arrangements 322 mayinclude elongated slots and/or multiple overlapping arrangements toenable mounting of the retrofit bracket 300 to more than a singlepreexisting floodlight enclosure. Accordingly, the retrofit bracket 300may be used to retrofit a variety of preexisting floodlight systems 10from one or more different manufacturers to include solid-state lightingfunctionality.

With reference to FIG. 7, yet another example embodiment of a retrofitbracket 400 is shown for alternatively supporting light generationassemblies of different sizes (not shown) within an internal cavity of apreexisting floodlight enclosure to selectively emit a flood of lighttherefrom. The light generation assemblies may be, for example, HTSSeries 8, 9 and 12 LED lighting products available from Lighting BareDevelopment, Inc. of Countryside, Ill.

With reference to FIG. 7, the retrofit bracket 400 includes a lightgeneration support platform 402 and a base structure 404. The lightgeneration support platform 402 may be a planar portion of the retrofitbracket 400 that provides a platform or stage upon which toalternatively mount the light generation assemblies of different sizes,as represented by the phantom lines labeled 416 a, 416 b. According tothe example embodiment of the retrofit bracket 400 shown in FIG. 7, thelight generation support platform 402 comprises a pair of flanges 412arranged at opposing lateral ends of the retrofit bracket 400. A spaceor gap 414 is provided between the flanges 412 that leave a substantialportion of the underside of the mounted light generation assemblyexposed, which may assist in air circulation and cooling of the lightgeneration assembly during operation. The flanges 412 of the supportplatform 402 may include overlapping light generation assembly mountingarrangements 410 a, 410 b (e.g., overlapping series of mountingapertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) foralternatively coupling one of differently sized light generationassemblies to the support platform 402 of the retrofit bracket 400. Asan example, the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 400 shown in FIG. 7includes an outer series or grouping of apertures and an inner series orgrouping of apertures, each arranged in a rectangular pattern, andwherein each aperture is sized to receive a corresponding threadedfastener to secure one of differently sized light generation assembliesto the support platform 402.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the retrofit bracket 400 may includea driver mounting arrangement 440 (e.g., a series of mounting apertures,threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.) located remote fromthe light generation support platform 402 for fixedly coupling asolid-state lighting element driver (not shown) to the retrofit bracket400. As an example, the embodiment of the retrofit bracket 400 shown inFIG. 7 includes a pair of threaded studs and a series of aperturesarranged in overlapping rectangular patterns for securing one ofdifferently sized solid-state lighting element drivers to the retrofitbracket 400. As can be appreciated from FIG. 7, the solid-state lightingelement driver may be fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket 400 viathe driver mounting arrangement 440 within a space between the lightgeneration support platform 402 and a rear wall of the floodlightenclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the retrofit bracket 400 may befixedly secured to the base receptacle of the preexisting floodlightenclosure (not shown) via a superseded light source mounting arrangementthereof and a corresponding mounting arrangement 422 (e.g., a series ofmounting apertures, threaded holes, threaded studs, embedded nuts, etc.)of the retrofit bracket 400. As an example, the embodiment of theretrofit bracket 400 shown in FIG. 7 includes a mounting arrangement 422comprising threaded nuts embedded in the retrofit bracket 400 to receivethreaded fasteners through a rear wall of the floodlight enclosure. Whenthe retrofit bracket 400 is fixedly secured to the preexistingfloodlight enclosure in this manner, the light generation assembly maybe supported by the light generation support platform 402 of theretrofit bracket 400 within the interior cavity of the floodlightenclosure opposite a cover thereof to emit light therefrom. In someinstances, light generated by the solid-state elements of the lightgeneration assembly may generally or substantially replicate or resemblelight previously generated by the superseded light source.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the base structure 404 of theretrofit bracket 400 may include a floor 420 and opposing sidewalls 430that extend between the light generation support platform 402 and thefloor 420. The floor 420 may be offset and parallel to the lightgeneration support platform 402. The opposing sidewalls 430 may beperpendicular to the light generation support platform 402 and the floor420, or may be inclined at an angle relative to the light generationsupport platform 402 or the floor 420 that is not perpendicular. One ormore additional mounting elements, such as, for example, a threaded stud441, may be provided on one or both of the opposing sidewalls 430 forgrounding purposes. The opposing sidewalls 430 may be of sufficientlength to create a pocket or cavity between the light generation supportplatform 402 and the floor 420 to house or receive the solid-statelighting element driver. The base structure 404, including the floor 420and opposing sidewalls 430, and the light generation support platform402 may be portions of a single-piece of formed sheet material, such as,for example, a sheet of steel or aluminum material formed into thestructure shown in FIG. 7 by appropriate bending operations.

The various mounting arrangements 410 a, 410 b, 422, 440 may be formedintegrally into the sheet material (e.g., punched, stamped or cut) orotherwise coupled to the sheet material, as in the case of embeddedstuds or threaded inserts. Some of the mounting arrangements 422 mayinclude elongated slots and/or multiple overlapping arrangements toenable mounting of the retrofit bracket 400 to more than a singlepreexisting floodlight enclosure. Accordingly, the retrofit bracket 400may be used to retrofit a variety of preexisting floodlight systems 10from one or more different manufacturers to include solid-state lightingfunctionality.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the base structure 404 of the retrofitbracket 400 may include an extension 450, 452 having a mounting face 454that is arranged perpendicular to the light generation support platform402 to be secured to a sidewall 25 (FIG. 3) of the base receptacle 22 ofthe floodlight enclosure 20. For this purpose, the mounting face 454 mayinclude at least one supplemental mounting arrangement 460, 462 forsecuring the extension 450, 452 and hence bracket 400 to the sidewall 25of the base receptacle 22. When secured in this manner, the floor 420 ofthe retrofit bracket 400 may be supported in a position that is offsetfrom the rear wall 23 (FIG. 3) of the base receptacle 22. In otherinstances, the floor 420 may be secured to the rear wall 23 of the basereceptacle 22 while the extension 450, 452 is secured to the sidewall 25by one of the supplemental mounting arrangements 460, 462 thereof. Thesupplemental mounting arrangements 460, 462 may be configured tocorrespond to one or more preexisting mounting arrangements 31 (FIG. 3)on the sidewall 25 of the base receptacle 22 of the floodlight enclosure20, including, for example, a mounting arrangement 31 that may be usedto secure the junction box 30 to the base receptacle 22.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant artthat aspects and features of the various embodiments of the retrofitbrackets 100, 200, 300, 400 described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments, and that embodiments may be practiced without oneor more of the specific details shown and described with reference tothe embodiments of the retrofit brackets 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 4through 7.

It will also be appreciated that related methods of retrofitting afloodlight system having a superseded light source, such as a metalhalide or high pressure sodium light source, to a solid-state lightingsystem may be provided in connection with the retrofit systems andbrackets described herein. For example, one method of retrofitting afloodlight system having a superseded light source and a floodlightenclosure to a solid-state lighting system may include removing thesuperseded light source from an interior of the floodlight enclosure andinstalling at least one solid-state light generation assembly and acorresponding solid-state lighting element driver within the interior ofthe floodlight enclosure using a retrofit bracket 100, 200, 300, 400 anda preexisting mounting arrangement of the floodlight enclosure. Theretrofit bracket may support the at least one light generation assemblyin a position to emit a flood of light from the retrofitted floodlightsystem and may concurrently support the solid-state lighting elementdriver outside a path of the flood of light. The method may furtherinclude attaching the at least one light generation assembly andcorresponding solid-state lighting element driver to a power sourcethrough a preexisting conduit of the floodlight enclosure. For example,the light generation assembly and corresponding solid-state lightingelement driver may be wired to a power source via a preexisting junctionbox of the floodlight enclosure. In other instances, a cable or wiringharness may be routed to the interior of the floodlight enclosure andconnected to the light generation assembly 50 and correspondingsolid-state lighting element driver 70 with conventional connectors,such as, for example, wire nuts and the like.

Moreover, aspects and features and the various embodiments describedabove can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and otherchanges can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detaileddescription. In general, in the following claims, the terms used shouldnot be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construedto include all possible embodiments along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claimsare not limited by the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A retrofit floodlight system, the systemcomprising: a floodlight enclosure for protecting a light source from anexternal environment, the floodlight enclosure including a basereceptacle and a cover coupled to the base receptacle to define aninterior cavity, the base receptacle including a superseded light sourcemounting arrangement; at least one light generation assembly includingan array of solid-state lighting elements operable to collectively emita flood of light from the floodlight enclosure; a retrofit bracketincluding a light generation support platform and a base structure,which are portions of a single-piece of formed sheet material, theretrofit bracket fixedly secured to the base receptacle of thefloodlight enclosure via the superseded light source mountingarrangement and the at least one light generation assembly supported bythe light generation support platform of the retrofit bracket within theinterior cavity of the floodlight enclosure opposite the cover; and asolid-state lighting element driver fixedly coupled to the retrofitbracket within the interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure, whereinthe base structure of the retrofit bracket includes a floor that isoffset and parallel to the light generation support platform andincludes a second mounting arrangement provided on the floor, andwherein the solid-state lighting element driver is fixedly coupled tothe retrofit bracket via the second mounting arrangement.
 2. Theretrofit floodlight system of claim 1 wherein the solid-state lightingelement driver is fixedly coupled to the retrofit bracket in a spacedefined between the light generation support platform and a rear wall ofthe base receptacle of the floodlight enclosure.
 3. The retrofitfloodlight system of claim 1 wherein the base structure of the retrofitbracket includes opposing sidewalls that extend between the floor andthe light generation support platform.
 4. The retrofit floodlight systemof claim 1 wherein the base structure of the retrofit bracket includesan extension having a mounting face that is arranged perpendicular tothe light generation support platform and secured to a sidewall of thebase receptacle of the floodlight enclosure.
 5. The retrofit floodlightsystem of claim 4 wherein the mounting face includes at least onesupplemental mounting arrangement, and the extension is secured to thesidewall of the base receptacle of the floodlight enclosure by the atleast one supplemental mounting arrangement.
 6. The retrofit floodlightsystem of claim 5 wherein the floor is supported in a position that isoffset from a rear wall of the base receptacle of the floodlightenclosure.
 7. The retrofit floodlight system of claim 1, furthercomprising a supplemental light generation assembly that is supported bythe light generation support platform of the retrofit bracket adjacentthe other light generation assembly.
 8. A retrofit floodlight system,the system comprising: a floodlight enclosure for protecting a lightsource from an external environment, the floodlight enclosure includinga base receptacle and a cover coupled to the base receptacle to definean interior cavity, the base receptacle including a superseded lightsource mounting arrangement; at least one light generation assemblyincluding an array of solid-state lighting elements operable tocollectively emit a flood of light from the floodlight enclosure; aretrofit bracket including a light generation support platform and abase structure, which are portions of a single-piece of formed sheetmaterial, the retrofit bracket fixedly secured to the base receptacle ofthe floodlight enclosure via the superseded light source mountingarrangement and the at least one light generation assembly supported bythe light generation support platform of the retrofit bracket within theinterior cavity of the floodlight enclosure opposite the cover; and asolid-state lighting element driver fixedly coupled to the retrofitbracket within the interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure, whereinthe base structure of the retrofit bracket includes a second mountingarrangement located remote from the light generation support platform,and wherein the solid-state lighting element driver is fixedly coupledto the retrofit bracket via the second mounting arrangement, and whereinthe light generation support platform includes a light generationassembly mounting arrangement and a supplemental light generationassembly mounting arrangement to accommodate a plurality of lightgeneration assemblies.
 9. The retrofit floodlight system of claim 8wherein the light generation assembly mounting arrangement and thesupplemental light generation mounting arrangement overlap toalternatively support light generation assemblies having differentsizes.
 10. A retrofit bracket for converting a floodlight system havinga superseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to a solid-statelighting system, the retrofit bracket comprising: a light generationsupport platform to accommodate and support at least one solid-statelight assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlight enclosure,the light generation support platform including a first mountingarrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lighting assembly tothe retrofit bracket; opposing sidewalls extending away from the lightgeneration support platform; and a floor offset from the lightgeneration support platform by the opposing sidewalls, the floorincluding a second mounting arrangement for fixing the retrofit bracketto the floodlight enclosure and a third mounting arrangement for fixinga solid-state lighting element driver to the retrofit bracket in a spacebetween the floor and the light generation support platform.
 11. Theretrofit bracket of claim 10, further comprising: an extension having amounting face that is arranged perpendicular to the light generationsupport platform and that includes at least one supplemental mountingarrangement to secure the extension to a sidewall of an alternatefloodlight system.
 12. A retrofit bracket for converting a floodlightsystem having a superseded light source and a floodlight enclosure to asolid-state lighting system, the retrofit bracket comprising: a lightgeneration support platform to accommodate and support at least onesolid-state light assembly within an interior cavity of the floodlightenclosure, the light generation support platform including a firstmounting arrangement for fixing the at least one solid-state lightingassembly to the retrofit bracket; opposing sidewalls extending away fromthe light generation support platform; a floor offset from the lightgeneration support platform by the opposing sidewalls, the floorincluding a second mounting for fixing a solid-state lighting elementdriver to the retrofit bracket in a space between the floor and thelight generation support platform; and an extension having a mountingface that is arranged perpendicular to the light generation supportplatform and that includes a third mounting arrangement to secure theextension to a sidewall of the floodlight enclosure.